WHY CAN'T THEY LEAVE POOR JESUS ALONE.

Ala. Gov.: Christian Duty to Boost Taxes (AP, 7/29/03).

Alabama's new governor is trying to persuade voters to approve the biggest tax increase in state history by telling them it is their Christian duty. And for a state in the Bible Belt, that might seem like a winning strategy.

Instead, Republican Gov. Bob Riley's $1.2 billion tax package is alienating even the Christian Coalition and other supporters, who see Riley as a Judas. Riley had consistently opposed new taxes while in Congress. . . .

Riley, a Southern Baptist, says Alabama has taxed its poorest too harshly for too long.

"According to our Christian ethics, we're supposed to love God, love each other and help take care of the poor,'' he said. "It is immoral to charge somebody making $5,000 an income tax.''

When Jesus said, "Render unto Caesar", He wasn't praising Caesar. Posted by David Cohen at July 29, 2003 7:30 PM